White House distances Hegseth from second strike on alleged drug boat – US politics live

The publisher of the Franklin the Turtle children's book series has condemned a recent online post by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that depicted the character in a violent context. This condemnation highlights concerns over the appropriateness of using children's characters in controversial political discourse.

Donald Trump has accused Honduran officials of attempting to manipulate the presidential election results as the vote count stalls, with right-wing candidate Nasry Asfura in a technical tie. The electoral court cited technical issues for the delay, while Trump warned of severe consequences if his preferred candidate does not win.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has proposed a new travel ban on visitors from certain countries following the fatal shooting of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. This incident has reignited discussions around national security and immigration policies, echoing the hardline stance of former President Donald Trump.

A U.S. delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss potential peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has expressed openness to negotiations but insists that its war objectives must be met, raising concerns about the sincerity of its commitment to peace. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is engaged in discussions with leaders from the UK and France, emphasizing the international dimension of the conflict.

Costco has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government to secure refunds for tariffs if the Supreme Court rules against former President Trump's authority to impose such tariffs. This legal action comes as the retailer faces a December 15 deadline that could impact the recovery of duties paid on imported goods.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed soldiers in Iraq to disregard legal advice regarding rules of engagement, particularly concerning the use of lethal force against enemy combatants. This directive is detailed in Hegseth's recent book, where he criticizes the constraints imposed by international laws of war and the Geneva Conventions.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny following the authorization of a second military strike on a boat in the Caribbean, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of survivors from an earlier attack linked to alleged drug trafficking. This has raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of military operations in the region.

A shooting incident near the White House resulted in the death of one National Guard member and critical injuries to another. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, was reportedly experiencing a personal crisis at the time of the attack. A U.S. official has disputed the White House's account regarding the circumstances surrounding a separate deadly boat strike in the Caribbean.